Police arrest suspected romance scammer over fraud, sharing of intimate images

The Ghana Police Service has apprehended Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng, a man suspected of orchestrating a romance scam that preyed on women through deceitful marriage proposals, blackmail, and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images. Kwarteng appeared before Accra Circuit Court 1 alongside Sally Akosua Amoasah, facing charges that include conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretenses, and the sharing of intimate images without consent.

Preliminary investigations reveal that Kwarteng posed as a pastor on Instagram, claiming divine revelations that certain women were destined to be his wives. Police reports indicate he went as far as meeting victims' families and presenting them with promise rings to solidify their trust. Subsequently, investigators allege that Kwarteng obtained intimate photographs from some victims, which he then used to extort money from them.

Further accusations suggest Kwarteng also defrauded victims by introducing them to a fictitious car tyre business. He allegedly collected substantial sums of money from individuals under the guise of facilitating the shipment and clearing of tyre containers, only to disappear and become unreachable. The police further allege that Kwarteng shared the intimate images of some victims with his wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah, who is also implicated in threatening the victims. Seven individuals have so far come forward to report their experiences, with investigations suggesting these offenses date back to 2021. Kwarteng has been remanded in police custody, while Amoasah was granted bail.